James Island Connector Run

The James Island Connector Run (JICR) provides one of the most scenic race routes in the Southeast and one of the most challenging courses in the Lowcountry!

Overlooking the beautiful Ashley River and the historic downtown peninsula of Charleston, this 8K Run, 5K Run, and 5K Walk starts and finishes on the James Island Connector from the James Island side of the river, staying on the connector with no exit ramps. The post-race festival includes a finishers medal and food at the finish line.

The race starts at 8:00 am for all distances, runners and walkers.

Awards & Swag

We will have the top finisher awards as well as 3 deep in all age groups and a walkers award: top 3 Male and Female walkers.

All runners and walkers receive finisher's medals. 

If you register close to race day, your preferred shirt size may not be available. Register as soon as possible to ensure you receive a shirt and the preferred size. Late registrants may not receive a shirt.

Packet Pick Up

We have TWO packet pick up options. 

• Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 11 AM - 6 PM at TBD
• Saturday October 17, 2026 from 6:30 a.m. - 7:50 a.m. at the race start (base of connector)

Race day packet pick up closes at 7:50 AM (or after the last shuttle of runners/walkers have finished picking up their packets), so we can start promptly at 8 AM. You may pick up for a friend or family member. 

We highly encourage you to pick up your packet on Thursday. 

Course Information

We use a USATF certified OUT AND BACK course that begins and ends on James Island (near Folly Rd.)

The James Island Connector will close by 6 AM and will reopen no later than 12 PM.

Parking Information

Due to restrictions from the City of Charleston, Parking has moved to the city lot across from Stoney Field (300 Fishburne St. Charleston). Shuttles will depart to the Folly Rd. start/finish line every 20 minutes.

Parking is FREE for runners and walkers. Our sponsors are offsetting the $10 parking fee that the City of Charleston charges our event.

At packet pick up or when you enter the lot, you’ll receive a parking placard. To comply with the City of Charleston regulations, display this on your dash.

You may use Ride Shares, Uber, or Lyft to get to the start (771 Daniel Ellis Drive, Charleston). You are also welcome to walk, run, or bike to the start if you live nearby.

The City of Charleston has forbidden parking at the base of the James Island Connector. Please do not park there or at any businesses near the connector.

Shuttle Information

Due to the City of Charleston's parking restrictions, shuttles will return for 2025. Thanks to our generous sponsors, riding the shuttle is FREE for runners and walkers.

Our run/walk is still stroller friendly, and strollers are allowed on the shuttles as well. 

Shuttles will depart from the parking lot at Stoney Field (300 Fishburne St., Charleston) approximately every 20 minutes.

Shuttle times to the start line will be: 6 AM • 6:20 AM • 6:40 AM  • 7 AM • 7:20 AM • 7:40 AM

Shuttles from the finish will depart back to the parking lot beginning at 9 AM.

The bus ride to the starting line is approximately 6-7 minutes.

Below is the new 5K certified course map. The start will be at the end of the south-bound lane of the connector with an out-and-back staying on the connector. 8K and 5K runners/walkers start together and the turn-arounds are clearly marked at the half way points. 

Our 5K has a water station at 1.55 miles (the halfway point).

The finishers party will be in the grassy area between the connector lanes.  

Below is the new 8K certified course map. The start will be at the end of the south-bound lane of the connector with an out-and-back staying on the connector. 8K and 5K runners/walkers start together and the turn-arounds are clearly marked at the halfway points. 

Our 8K has water stations at the 1.5, 2.5, and 4 mile marks.

The finisher's party will be in the grassy area between the connector lanes.  

Age Group and Award Breakdown:

• Top 3 overall male and female
• First Master (40 years and older) male and female
• First Grandmaster (50 years and older) male and female
• First Great Grandmaster (60 years and older) male and female
• Top 3 in the following age groups ( age 1-10, 11-14 and under,15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 and over. )
• Top 3 finishers in WALKERS for men and women. 

We will also recognize our largest teams.

ALL runners and walkers receive a finisher's medal.

As the race date nears, we will add photos of our awards.

CAN I REGISTER BY MAIL?
You must register online. Registration will be available on race day until 7:30 a.m. If you walk up to register, you must register on your phone/device.
CAN I REGISTER ON RACE DAY?
Yes, you can register on race day until 7:30am. Please register as soon as you can to receive your preferred shirt size. If you wait until race week to register, you may not receive a shirt.
CAN I CHANGE MY RACE DISTANCE?
Yes, you may change your race distance online through Friday, October 23, 2025 at noon. Click here and on the James Island Connector Run, "Manage Registration" to change your race distance online. 
WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
The James Island Connector Run adheres to standard running industry policy, which dictates that registration fees are non-refundable and we do not offer deferrals.

You may transfer your registration to another runner PRIOR TO PACKET PICKUP. Go to your Run Signup, your account and click on your Profile. Find the face on the Upcoming Events tab and click on Manage Registration to transfer your registration to another runner. 

CAN I JUST GIVE MY BIB TO SOMEONE ELSE?
NO. If someone runs under another person's bib/name/date of birth is an immediate DQ - Disqualification.

You MAY transfer your bib to another runner for no charge before packet pickup. To transfer your registration to another runner go to your Run Signup, your account and click on your Profile. Find the face on the Upcoming Events tab and click on Manage Registration to transfer your registration to another runner. 

IS THERE A TIME LIMIT FOR THE 8K?
Yes, all runners must be cleared from the James Island Connector within 2.0 hours of the start. Runners finishing after 2.0 hours may not receive an official time. The City of Charleston has a strict (and expensive) road closure policy and we need to adhere to the permit we have been granted for the race. 
HOW MANY RUNNERS ARE EXPECTED?
We expect approximately 400 runners in the 8k and 300 runners in the 5k for 2025.
ARE T-SHIRTS INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION FEE?
Yes, a gender-specific shirt will be available for runners who register before October 1, 2025. We cannot guarantee shirts for runners who register after that date due to the time constraints in ordering shirts.
ARE AWARDS BASED ON GUN TIME OR CHIP TIME?
Overall awards are based on gun time, age group awards are based on chip time.
WHAT IF IT RAINS OR THERE IS A BAD WEATHER EVENT?
Both runs take place rain or shine. There will be no weather-related refunds. The event can be cancelled if the Race Committee or the City of Charleston determines the course is unsafe due to poor weather or other conditions.
ARE WALKERS, STROLLERS OR DOGS ALLOWED?
Walkers and strollers are allowed in the 5k  and 8k with a 2 hour time limit. Dogs are not allowed in either run.

Walker and strollers must start at the back and must be off the course in 2.0 hours.
ARE THE COURSES CERTIFIED?
Yes, both the 5K and the 8K course are USATF certified.
WILL RACE PACKETS BE MAILED?
Race packets will not be mailed but can be picked up at packet pick-up which will be Thursday, October 23rd until 6:30 at Fleet Feet in Mount Pleasant, or on race day before 7:30am.
WHERE DO I PARK FOR THE RACES?
Please see the Parking and Shuttle Information.
WHAT IS THE COURSE ELEVATION?
The highest course elevation is no more that 40 feet. The course is across several bodies of water so expect a hill-style event.
CAN I SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER?
Yes, click here to volunteer.
IS THERE AN AWARDS CEREMONY?
Yes, we will have awards for both races. Please stay for the awards ceremony if possible. We would like to congratulate you and take your picture.
WHAT AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN?
Awards for first male and female overall top finisher, first male and female masters, first male and female grandmasters, first male and female great grandmasters, and male and female top 3 age group awards from 14 and under to 80 and above in 5-year age groups.
CAN I PICK UP ANOTHER RUNNER'S PACKET?
Yes, you may pick up another runner’s packet.
IS THE JAMES ISLAND CONNECTOR RUN FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES?
Yes, the race raises funds for the Charleston Animal Society .

Packet Pickup Options

Thursday, October 15, 2026

11 AM - 6:30 PM at TBD

or

Saturday October 17, 2026

6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. at Race Start (Folly Rd.)

We highly recommend picking up your packet on Thursday.

Post-Race Festivities

We will have food, drinks, photos, and lots of fun.

Stick around for awards so we can take your picture and recognize your achievement!

Team Competition

Join or create a team to compete for the Largest Team Award!

Our largest team is featured on our social media and gets bragging rights for the year.

The Charleston Running Club has hosted the James Island Connector Run since 2019.

Since 1977, the Charleston Running Club has promoted running in the local community. Early on, the club was instrumental in starting two of the area's largest races, the Cooper River Bridge Run and the Kiawah Marathon. Members of the club's leadership currently serve on the board of the Cooper River Bridge Run.

The Charleston Running Club hosts two additional fundraising races: the Charlie Post Classic 15K/5K in January and the Floppin’ Flounder 5K in June. 

Finisher Medal

All finishers (walkers or runners) receive a finisher's medal.

Long Sleeved Shirt

This year's shirt is a long-sleeved shirt. If you register close to race day, your preferred shirt size may not be available. Register as soon as possible to ensure you receive a shirt and the preferred size. Late registrants may not receive a shirt.

We can't wait to share the beauty of the James Island Connector and Ashley River, both for your enjoyment on race day as well as your event shirt.

The James Island Connector Run benefits South Carolina's #1 Charity, Charleston Animal Society. Protecting animals since 1874, Charleston Animal Society is a local No Kill South Carolina shelter where all healthy and treatable animals are saved. Charleston Animal Society became the first animal organization in South Carolina and one of the first in the Nation.

Our proceeds also benefit Ladies Enriching the Community (LETC), a nonprofit organization that enhances the Charleston Community through their commitment to education, economic, and cultural empowerment.